Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls

Cece Rios #1

by Kaela Rivera

Living in the remote town of Tierra del Sol is dangerous, especially in the criatura months, when powerful spirits roam the desert and threaten humankind. But Cecelia Rios has always believed there was more to the criaturas, much to her family’s disapproval. After all, only brujas—humans who capture and control criaturas—consort with the spirits, and brujeria is a terrible crime.

When her older sister, Juana, is kidnapped by El Sombrerón, a powerful dark criatura, Cece is determined to bring Juana back. To get into Devil’s Alley, though, she’ll have to become a bruja herself—while hiding her quest from her parents, her town, and the other brujas. Thankfully, the legendary criatura Coyote has a soft spot for humans and agrees to help her on her journey.

With him at her side, Cece sets out to reunite her family—and maybe even change what it means to be a bruja along the way.

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Mythology, Fiction, Adventure, Audiobook, Latinx

352 pages, Hardcover

First published April 13, 2021

Reviews

[Kaela Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve hesitated to give my own book five stars, but ultimately I decided this: I put five stars worth of time into this book. I put five stars worth of love into it. I put five stars worth of effort, worth of my heart, worth of my hope and healing and desire to comfort people I may never see with the only gift I have—my words.

So I hope that all five of those stars worth of time, work, love, and joy reach you through Cece’s adventure. And it’s even okay if it doesn’t because it’s not your thing. ;)

But either way, I’ll put this five-star review here as a statement and a reminder to myself and those who I wrote it for—the effort is seen, the time has come, and with joy I can say I’ve done my best, and I will celebrate it. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Middle Grade fantasy, and this is the first book in the Cece Rios series. I picked this book up for the first time a couple of months ago, but I just was not in the mood for this type of book. I am so glad I did not give up on this book. I have to say I loved everything about this book, but I have to say it took me a little bit to get into this book. This book shows how strong loving someone is, and that love is more stronger then hate/angrier. I loved the characters in this book, and I loved how much Cece grow during this book. This book is well written and the main point in this book is so great. I have to say that I did not love the ending because I felt it just stopped. There was no real ending. This book would be 5 stars if there was an ending. I have to say that I think this book would be good for 5th graders or 6st graders and up. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (HarperCollins Children's Books) or author (Kaela Rivera) via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO MUCH FUN! Pokemon meets COCO in a spirited and moving adventure infused with Mexican American culture and Mesoamerican magic.

Y'all are going to love this book.

[Zoraida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had the privilege of reading this early. Love the remix of Mexican-American folktales!

[Ruthie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls free of charge from NetGalley, HarperCollins, and the author Kaela Rivera. It was my choice to read and review.

I've shared in the past that sometimes middle-grade books are hard for me to read, being an adult. I do like to read them from time to time and I'm happy to say I didn't have any difficulty getting into and enjoying Cece Rios. It's appropriate for a Middle-Grade audience but, as an adult, it didn't feel like a middle-grade book. It sucked me in, I was invested in the characters, the journey, and the magic system. The world-building, plot progression, action sequences, and dialogue/interactions with unique tones of voice for all characters were all on point.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading and could not put it down. I also loved that Cece didn't fall under the "chosen one or savior of the world trope", she couldn't do it all by herself, she needed trust and lots of help from friends on her journey. I would LOVE to read more books about Cece so, HarperCollins, please contract with Kaela again for more books set in this world to continue Cece's story.

I love reading diverse books with legends reimagined from other cultures and Kaela Rivera shared with me when I interviewed her that her inspiration was her "abuelo's stories from growing up in northern Mexico and an idea I've pondered for a long time--if we could see each other's souls on the outside, how would that change how we treat each other? Once I put those ideas together, everything just clicked." Check out the full author interview on my Instagram page @ram_reads

Cece and her parents were giving me a bit of Moana vibes, the criaturas reminded me a bit of the movie Coco with a harder edge, and brujas + the soul-controlling magic they used reminded me of Harry Potter mixed with Vodoo magic from the princess and the frog. Even though I was reminded of these stories I've enjoyed, CeCe Rios and the Desert of Souls is a story all its own.

[Toya (thereadingchemist) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twelve year old Cece Rios must learn the forbidden bruja magic to rescue her sister Junana after she’s kidnapped by El Sombrerón, a powerful dark criatura. Cece’s parents do not approve of the brujeria, so she must secretly learn the magic. Lucky for her, she has the help of one of most infamous criatura, Coyote, but together they must race against time to save Juana.

I absolutely loved how Rivera remixed so many Latinx folklore and mythology in this story. We got to some legends such as El Sombrerón, El Cucuy, Tzitzimitl, La Chupacabra, and La Llorona!

Cece is an incredible character. She’s intelligent, compassionate, brave, and persistent. Even though the odds are stacked against Cece in becoming a bruja, she outright refuses to give up on saving Juana.

I really enjoyed the relationship between Coyote and Cece. The author does a great job of putting the bias and assumptions of brujeria front and center, and shows how Coyote and Cece work together to overcome it. They had such a great friendship and worked well as a team.

Overall, this is a really great coming of age story filled with magic and mythology that can be enjoyed by all ages!


Thank you to Harper Kids for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.

[Belles Middle Grade Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much Harper Collins for sending me a copy to review! I’m blown away at how AMAZING this book is. It’s now 1 of my top favorites of the year(& I’ve read 106 so far). This was such a nice change from reading retellings I know by heart, to read something inspired by Latinx folklore. I was FASCINATED this whole book.

Living where Cece lives is dangerous, especially in the criatura months, when powerful spirits roam the desert & threaten humankind. To her family’s disapproval she has always believed there was more to criaturas. Only brujas—humans who capture & control criaturas—consort w/the spirits, & brujeria is a terrible crime. Then her older sister(Juana) is kidnapped by El Sombrerón, a powerful dark criatura. Determined to rescue her she sets off to become a bruja herself, which is the only way she can get into Devils Alley to rescue Juana-while hiding all of this from her parents, her town, & the other brujas. Thankfully, the legendary criatura Coyote has a soft spot for humans & agrees to help her on her journey.

Coyote has my heart & soul. SUCH an amazing character. Every character is amazing. She gets help from a few others along the way too, & I just loved it. The whole backstory of this town, her family, the Gods, Coyote, the bruja, & the criaturas was brilliantly told & so engrossing to read. Cece holds true to herself & her beliefs-even of going against would get her sister back guaranteed. I loved that. She’s always been made to feel like her soft heart & kindness were a weakness, but she realizes they’re her strength. She shows there’s more than 1 way to do something, & kindness always goes a long way. Importance on righting the wrongs of the past, & breaking viscous cycles. She always tries to do the right thing, & cares. She treats the criaturas like people , & w/respect-& seeing how they received that from her each time were parts I reread b/c they were so moving, brilliant, & beautiful. Giving power instead of taking it. Showing that love isn’t easy to bare, but it’s worth it all. She shows the truth & beauty of forgiveness-hate only hurts you, doesn’t affect the recipient at all.

I had such an incredible time on this journey w/Cece, Coyote, & Little Lion. Can’t wait to see what this author does next. I need more! This has high stakes, suspense, action, adventure, danger, folklore, strength, family, friendship, loyalty, morality, hope, & a lot of heart. All which make for a very fast-paced read. I can’t express enough how fantastically brilliant this book is, & how much I love it! Read it! Lol Came out yesterday! Highly recommend! Stunning cover by Mirelle Ortega too!💜

[CW ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love mythology and fantasy adventures that sweep you off your feet and take you for a wild and imaginative ride, then this book will hit all the right spots. I loved this and had so much fun.

- Follows Cece, a girl brought up to believe that criaturas, supernatural beings, are evil. When her sister is taken by one, Cece would do anything to save her - even if it means becoming a bruja, the only people who can control a criatura.
- The beginning has a slightly shaky start, but once Cece gets into her mission, the story just takes off and I was captivated.
- I loved how we venture into Cece's vast world, filled with magic, mystery, darkness, and powers of fire and water. The story is rich with lore, and I enjoyed the Latine influences in the story and mythology.
- It's a story about unlikely friendships - about a girl who is kind and genuine yet resolute to do the right thing, and makes unlikely friends along the way, and how there is strength and power in understanding one another and forging meaningful connections with others.
- And it's also a story about family. It does depict parental abuse, which was challenging to read, but I also liked that Cece's strength, kindness, and goodness shine, and therefore challenging the ways how people have perceived and judged her.

Trigger/content warning: child abuse, mentions of the death of a loved one, fantasy violence, physical violence

[Loo · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most grounding and insightful works I've read in a long time. It gives perspectives on love and kindness in the perspective of the real harshness many of us have encountered. This is a book I can fill heartedly recommend to any reader.

[Udy Kumra · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/3/21: 5 stars. Finished this on the 30th but didn't get around to reviewing until now. This book was fucking amazing. One of the best middle grades I've ever read. I'm probably gonna do a full Reddit review later, but for now: I loved the magic system, I loved the setting and culture of the story, I thought the plot was paced fantastically—and I loved the main character, Cece Rios, so so so so much.

[Fanna]

August 21, 2020: Mexican folklore & ancient mythology? YES PLEASE

[Adri · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

CWs: References to and instances of child abuse, kidnapping, allusions to death of a grandparent, descriptions of graphic injury, scenes containing graphic violence

This is an extraordinary Latinx fantasy-adventure that's perfect for fans of the Rick Riordan Presents line and other mythological inspired fantasy stories!

Cece Rios is a story about family, community, and power, and the inherent connection between all of those things. Cece is a character who was raised to fear criaturas, powerful supernatural entities who seem to prey on humans, and also to resent brujas, the magical humans who are the only ones who can control the criaturas. But ever since she was young, Cece has known that criaturas are not something to fear, in fact she was saved by one when she was young—the same criatura who proclaimed Cece to have a soul of water despite living in a village that worships the Sun god.

After her sister disappears, Cece embarks on a journey to become a bruja, which necessitates her capturing and controlling a criatura in hopes that she can prove her strength and fight her way into the criatura underworld where her sister was taken. As the story progresses, Cece continues to defy expectations and challenge those long-held beliefs about criaturas and magic. She has her own way of going about things, especially because she's a soft-hearted person who doesn't want to hurt anyone, whether they're human or criatura, and she will not compromise her principles no matter what's at stake.

That is precisely what I loved most about this story. It explores how maybe we fear the things we fear simply because they're different from us and we haven't taken the time to understand them. The story also challenges how we understand "weakness," and speaks directly against the machismo that's rampant in many Latinx communities. There is often this idea that in order to be "tough" or "strong," we have to hide our emotions, and we have to put aside emotions like fear, sadness, and even empathy in order to earn other people's respect when that is not at all true. It is human to love, to care, to hope, and to help others, and when we pretend otherwise, we are doing ourselves a disservice. Our emotions are what make us human, and caring about others is in fact what makes us stronger, and that message is on full display in this book.

As she gets closer and closer to figuring out how to save her sister, Cece is actually reforging the broken relationship between human and criatura, and making amends with her criatura friends for how they were mistreated in the past. She is able to see the dignity and wholeness they all inherently possess, and together they're learning how they can help each other and save each other. Their relationships become stronger because of that vulnerability, that willingness to reveal the parts of themselves that have been hurt, and that's what makes their relationship stronger.

Ultimately, this is an incredible and unforgettable story that has adventure, action, magic, supernatural creatures, Latinx-based mythology, friendship, and above all else emotion. It's about being unafraid to write your own story and to be different than the person you were taught to be. It's how strength comes from vulnerability and change is only possible when we are brave enough to be different. I do wish we could've seen a little bit more of Cece's family, especially with her mysterious tía, and there definitely feels like there's room for a sequel if not an entire series, but I absolutely loved this all the same and I'd highly recommend it!

[Celia · Rating 5 out of 5]

ONE MILLION STARS!

I was gifted a copy of this book by HarperCollins and I cannot tell you how happy I was to get it in the mail. I've already heard some early reviews from friends on Instagram so, I knew I was getting into something good.

Cece once saved a criatura from capture, and because of it the town of Tierra del Sol gives her a wide berth. When her sister is kidnapped by one of the strongest criaturas, Cece is determined to prove her worth to the town and get her back. But entering Devil's Alley is easier said than done. She enlists the help of a criatura named Coyote and with him, enter in a deadly set of games in order for Cece to become a bruja and enter Devil's Alley to rescue her sister. She only pretends to be a bruja, but as time goes, she discovers things about herself she never knew possible. And with the help of some unlikely allies, steps into a dangerous world of monsters.

Cece is a fierce little girl with a fire in her heart (although Tierra del Sol will tell you differently). The Mexican folklore is what drew me in, but Cece and her love for her sister and friends is what kept me around.I loved watching her grow into her own and keep kindness in her heart when it's so easy to let hate take over. She is strong, yet compassionate, angry yet empathetic. By the end of the book, it's these qualities that make her stand out, and rue the day.

This is one of the best middle-grade books I've ever read. I am so excited to see what else Kaela Rivera has to offer the book world.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s easy to find contemporary retellings of the European fairy tales: Cinderella, Rapunzel, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty. Finding an engaging book that builds on the stories handed down in Mexico and Central America is much more difficult—at least it was until Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls was written! Rivera has brought to life some great legendary figures in El Sombrerón, El Cucuy, Tzitzimitl, La Chupacabra, and La Llorona—and she does it in a way that makes them seem frighteningly familiar!

Cece is a spunky and loving young heroine who dares to become a bruja to rescue her kidnapped sister, Juana. On her journey to Devil’s Alley, Cece forges unlikely friendships with Coyote, Little Lion, and Kit Fox, powerful criaturas whose soul stones she holds on leather strings around her neck. The battles they face (and win) together are both breath-taking and terrifying. The strength of family shines brightly in this wonderful debut novel.

[Jo Parsons-Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this amazing and exciting book as a pre-reader. I loved it! Full of thought provoking choices, exciting and scary adventure, heart wrenching panic, and determination to succeed.
Cece (see-see) is a wonderful 12 almost 13 year old girl in a fantasy world based on early 20th century Mexico. She hasn’t as fiery a temperament as most of her people are expected to be and feels less because of it. But she eventually learns her own gifts as she ventures into uncharted waters as the novel progresses. She has a good heart filled with kindness and compassion, but she also has strength, determination, and ability to face her adversities.
Cece loves her fiery older sister, Juana although they are different in nature. One night, she is stolen by a dark “criatura” El Sombreron right in front of Cece—and it’s Cece’s fault. Determined to make right her wrongs, heal her family, and save her sister from a fate worse than death, Cece begins a plan to accomplish the seemingly impossible, to save Juana. But will she do it at any cost? You’ll have to read to find out!

[Payal Doshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

CECE RIOS AND THE DESERT OF SOULS was such an enjoyable read! I was immediately drawn into the landscape of Tierra del Sol and Cece Rios and her family who are threatened by criaturas who have begun to roam the desert. This book is a wonderful blend of a classic adventure story of a girl in search of her kidnapped sister and the vibrance of Mexican legend and folklore. There’s magic, brujas, and a Devil’s Alley! But at the center, this story is full of heart, courage, and kindness. I found myself rooting for Cece in the bruja fights as though I was an actual bystander, empathizing with the tough decisions she had to make along the way, and celebrating her when she truly comes into her own. I don't want to give anything away but can I just say there are some criaturas who have my heart! Definitely give this incredible book a read! Thank you to Kaela Rivera and HarperCollins for the eARC!

[Taylor O · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5/5
This was a fun time. Though there were some parts that felt clunky at times, I loved Cece as a protagonist and her journey throughout the story.

[Cara (Wilde Book Garden) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked this! Cece was such a great character, I really enjoyed the criatura supporting characters, the worldbuilding and lore was super interesting and well-done, and the themes are basically tailor-made for me 😂

The biggest drawback for me was a chunk of the plot near the middle - I found the Bruja Fights themselves pretty uninteresting to watch, though I did enjoy the character stuff that happened around them.

But my favorite thing about the book far outweighed that drawback, because THE THEMES.
-crying is not a sign of weakness (as a Serious Crier myself I genuinely appreciated how often Cece cried)
-empathy power!!
-you can forgive someone without allowing them to hurt you again
-staying true to what is right is a more powerful strength than brute force
-self-love and acceptance
-celebration of differences and way these differences complement each other
...like seriously, could these messages be more up my alley?

What a compelling and warm-hearted story 💧🔆

CW: Grief, child abuse, emotional neglect, animal fights (sort of)

[A.L. Sowards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this middle grade fantasy novel (and so did my 12-year-old-twins, who both read it before I did).

Cece Rios lives in Tierra del Sol (a fantasy land inspired by Mexican legends and creation myths), where humans and criaturas live at odds with each other. Criatures can carry humans off, but some humans, brujas, can steal the souls of criatures and make them their slaves.

When Cece’s sister is taken by a dark criatura—under circumstances that make Cece blame herself—she resolves to do anything she can to rescue her. The only solution she can think of is becoming a bruja, stealing the soul of a criatura, and winning the bruja fights, thus earning an invitation to Devil’s Alley where her sister has been taken. But her parents, the townspeople, and of course the criaturas all hate brujas. Can Cece become something she’s not if that’s what it takes to save her sister, or can she find another way?

The book had interesting characters with depth, a new-to-me setting, and a great combination of action and suspense. If you (or your children) enjoy middle grade fantasy or mythology stories, I definitely recommend it.

Re-read it in 2024 with my son (9) and he loved it too!

[Mariely · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to HarperCollins Children's Books for providing me an ARC in exchange of my honest review.

If you are searching for a book with a strong female character, CECE RIOS AND THE DESERT OF SOULS is perfect for you. Honestly, this is one of the best books I've read this year! You get to follow the main character, Cece, through a wonderful adventure while she's trying to save her sister. She's such a strong girl! You get to see her development through the story; not only within herself, but also with her family and her community. I enjoyed the setting, the different relationships with Cece's family members, the folktales included, the desserts, and the criaturas! Although, I have to admit, I was a little bit scared at the beginning. Lol. Also, I have to say that I loved how the author incorporated the elements of fire and water to the story. It was easy for me to fall in love with this fantasy world full of magic! I can't wait to read more stories by Kaela Rivera. You can read my full review at wereadblog.com!

[Alysa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life in the desert town of Tierra del Sol is marred by the season the the criatura, when spirit creatures come to threaten the humans of the town. But Cece has a different view of the criatura after one helped her find her way home when she was younger.
Marked by the town as an outsider because of her interaction with a criatura, Cece has grown up thinking of herself as weak and all too different
But when her sister is kidnapped by a dark and powerful criatura, CeCe knows she’s the only one to save her beloved sibling.
What follows is a fast paced adventure as Cece gathers unexpected allies to defeat both the shadow enemies and her own self doubts.
With rich world building woven through with Mexican mythology, this book is a wonderful and exciting read.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the e-arc.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first heard what this book was about, I couldn't wait to read it. I was not disappointed! Cece Rios is a strong female character who faces down challenges with courage and heart. The fast paced adventure starts on page one and builds from there, I've no doubt it will hook young readers immediately. The rich world of the desert town Tierra del Sol is filled with fascinating aspects of Mexican mythology. I enjoyed reading about the different criaturas and the legends behind them. Cece is a character that has a strong growth-mindset, learning her worth despite feeling like an outsider in her town. I look forward to purchasing this book for our school library when it officially releases!

[The Smol Moth]

Please, future me, don't let me down! Remember to read this book!! Everything about the blurb sounds interesting and I'm praying I'll love it.

[Heather-Lin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here's a quick and dirty review: I highly recommend this.

Much darker than I was expecting, based on this cover art and the classification of middle-grade. It looks like it's gonna have the same vibe as Sal and Gabi. Like Dora the explorer. That animated movie, Coco. Not at all! This is more like Harry Potter in that it is deadly serious and the stakes are very high.

There's virtually no humor here, but there is intense emotion. And there are strong themes of alienation, the importance of family and community approval, a father who drinks, parents who worry about maintaining appearances and push conformity on their kids. Against creatures there's prejudice and exploitation. Yeah, heavy. Misleading cover for sure.

There's a fascinating origin story, the cosmology and creation of the world. I loved that there was drift in the beliefs even over there last couple hundred years.

I really like that our heroine is scared and choosing little micro braveries, and I love that she's not instantly successful and proficient at everything. Her biggest strength is her soft heart and her willingness to be honest. Every character in our merry little band is preteen, but they could have been 17 to 19 and it still would read true. I'm glad that she's only 12 (almost 13) because we didn't have to deal with hormones/romantic interest being a thing.

I hope this book becomes huge. Even though I don't love it when middle grade books are so relentlessly dark and heavy, this had so many quality things to say. I also cannot overstate how thrilling it was to be in a magical world based on Latinx mythology and culture. I desperately want more of this.

The audiobook narration is wonderful! Those GORGEOUSLY pronounced Spanish words made my heart sing 🖤🖤🖤

[Gerardo Delgadillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 out of 5 stars.

CECE RIOS AND THE DESERT OF SOULS is quite a ride–mythical creatures, witches, and souls. The adventure starts when Cece (Ceci for those of us who are native Spanish speakers) and her sister Juana cross the town’s limits, where El Sombrerón surprises them and kidnaps Juana. His purpose? Wed her. Or eat her soul. Or who knows what! One thing is for sure, Mr. Big Hat will do something baaaaaaaaad to Juana if Cece doesn’t act up fast.

So, Cece allies with Coyote and some other mythical creatures, and embarks in an adventure of discovery AND self-discovery. Problem is, only brujas (witches) can enter Devil’s Alley (El Callejón del Diablo), where El Sombrerón reigns and roams about.

What piqued my interest is the use of Mexican and Mexican-American mythology I’d never head of in the 30+ years I lived in Mexico, so this part caught my attention in a good way.

Nevertheless, CECE RIOS AND THE DESERT OF SOULS is an engaging read with twists and turns and whatnot. Excellent world building, great mystery, and tons of action.

More on my blog: https://gerardowrites.wordpress.com/2...

[Shawn Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I were going to recommend only one MG debut novel from the past 12 months to a young reader, it very likely would be "Cece Rios and Desert of Souls.'

A protagonist who starts out feeling "othered" and has to learn how to embrace their identity is a common theme for all genres of middle grade books, but this fantasy tale, steeped in Latinx desert lore just keeps upping the ante from the first chapter.

Is Cece cursed or blessed by having a soul that will never burn? Is she on the path to being a powerful bruja like her aunt, or something even rarer? Is holding power over someone else really power, or does it pale in comparison to kindness and friendship?

This book is for any kid (or adult who likes the genre) who is into Pokemon or who can't get enough of Disney/Pixar's "Coco" or who wants their world building flavored by Spanish language and Latin American culture.

What a wonderful, audacious and entertaining debut!

[Lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew in the first five minutes of this (I listened to the audiobook, which is really good) that I would love this story, and I did. Cece Rios is an awesome protagonist, so brave and determined, and the friendships she makes along the way (especially with Coyote) swelled my heart, so wholesome. It's a story about how love, forgiveness, friendship, trust and courage challenge and triumph over hatred, prejudice and abuse. Cece challenges the status quo every step of the way, determined to do things in her own way and to stick to her own morals.

The writing, in close first person perspective, is visceral and engaging, the culture in which it's set is vibrant and interesting, and the fast-paced plot, due to its set up, could have been repetitive, but it doesn't feel that way, it keeps you on your toes.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

CECE RIOS AND THE DESERT OF SOULS is an action/adventure story with a soul. I loved the messages in Cece's story: the importance of finding your own strength, of unexpected friendships, of kindness, of family. I loved the girl power! And the beautiful legends that are central to the story made me want to learn more about Mexican folklore. I wish I could quote from this uncorrected proof, because the prose often reads like poetry. Highly recommend for middle grade readers who like action stories with heart.

Thank you so much to Kaela Rivera and to Harper Collins Children's for the eARC of this book.

[Richard Dominguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fabulous read. I love everything about this story from start to finish. The characters are filled with life and everyone jumps right off the paper as they move through the story.
The story is solid and moves forward smoothly and continually picks up speed as it races to the conclusion.
The atmosphere (thanks to the author) is so vivid it practically moves around you as you move through the story.
Beautifully written and well paced it grabbed me from the start and held my attention to the very end. Lots of action and a fun read this is a YA story written for anyone who loves a great, fun story regardless of the age.

[Kate Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wowzer! Just wowzer! This book could now be one of my top ten MG reads ever. It's the perfect blend of smart, creepy, exciting and emotional. I was immersed from the opening pages and more and more invested with every turn of the page. Pure brilliance! Loved it!